Winter Trout Fishing Program

Cosmo-Bethel Lake
4500 Bethel St.

Under a cooperative agreement, the Missouri Department
of Conservation, Columbia Parks & Recreation,
and the Mid-Missouri Chapter of Trout Unlimited
stock trout into Cosmo-Bethel Lake to create an urban
winter fishery in central Missouri. The program was initiated in 2003.

One of the goals of the Missouri Department
of conservation’s Urban Fishing Program is
to increase fishing opportunities and species diversity
in urban lakes. Since 1989, the Missouri Department
of Conservation has stocked rainbow trout in St.
Louis and Kansas City area lakes to provide close-to-home
fishing opportunities. Urban winter trout fishing
has been so successful in these cities that the program
was expanded to include Columbia.

About 2,400 trout are stocked into
Cosmo-Bethel Lake during the last week of October.
Most of the trout stocked are 10 to 12 inches
long; however, some larger fish are also released.

All trout must be released, unharmed from November
1-January 31. Only artificial baits (no natural or
scented baits) can be used from November 1-January
31. After January 31, anglers can harvest trout under
statewide regulations (see below).

If you would like to donate to the Winter Trout Fishing Program, there is a donation box on site at Cosmo-Bethel Park or you may send funds to Columbia Parks and Recreation, 1 South 7th Street, Columbia, MO 65201.

For more information about the program, call the Missouri Department of Conservation,
573-884-6861.